Yamaha TRX850 Review: By Steve
Aussie & Import. These bikes have a real cult following, with the sound of a Ducati, & a steel trellis frame, there's now prizes for guessing what share of the market Yamaha was chasing. This whole exercise would be argued as trying to rob the cheep end of the Ducati market. (for those that couldn't afford the real thing.)
Yes, these bikes sound identical to Ducati for good reasons! Yamaha made it that way! While this is a parallel twin, the firing order is the same as a 90degree V-twin, because of it having a 270 degree crank shaft, unlike most parallel twins that have 180 crank, or pistons moving together, but firing on opposite strokes.
It is primarily balanced, needing no balance shaft to smooth vibrations, It is very tractable in corners on full tilt, allowing full open throttle earlier than equal capacity 4cylinders. It sounds like a Ducati, can't to beat that. This 850 twin is fed by twin carbs & has swept up pipes, water cooled, & a dry sump, which has the oil level view right above the motor behind the cylinder block. The power is soft, but has plenty useable torque, that really does cut it in the real world with other bigger fours, & if you push it hard no-ones going anywhere without ya, while it handles sweet with most options of adjustment front & rear it can be set up to steer quick & handle your fave twisties.
In Australia, there are two models with equal availability on the used bike market.
While the import has a black motor & colour coded frame & Brembo front callipers, the Aussie bike mostly have a silver motor & frame & a not as efficient floating calliper, while the import has a 180K Speedo, it is possibly limited from the factor to 180.
These are great bikes that have stood the test of time. http://www.mcroadrunner.com.au/stunts/tr